▲ Kim Ji-yong, nominee to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, is seen in this photo provided by his law firm, Apex Law. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung on Monday nominated a former senior prosecutor to serve as the inaugural head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency set to launch next month.

Kim Ji-yong, former chief of the criminal affairs department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, was chosen as the final nominee to lead the new agency from a shortlist of four candidates, according to Yun.

Yun will recommend Kim to President Lee Jae Myung, who will appoint him to the post after he undergoes a parliamentary confirmation hearing. If appointed, he will serve a two-year term.

The new agency, designed to partly replace the prosecution service's functions, is scheduled to launch on Oct. 2 as part of sweeping reform that strips prosecutors of their independent and supplementary investigative powers.

The agency will investigate major crimes in seven categories -- corruption, economic crimes, defense acquisition, drug offenses, crimes against state security, cybercrimes and offenses involving distortion of the law.

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]